Anglican bishop pays tribute to late wife

The Bishop of Sabongidda-Ora Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev’d Augustine Ohilebo, paid glowing tribute to his late wife, Mrs. Rosemary Austin-Ohilebo, at the funeral ceremony held for the late bishop’s wife.

Bishop Ohilebo who gave the tribute at the burial of his late wife popularly called “Mama Sabo”, which held at St. John Cathedral Cemetery, Sabongidda-Ora, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Friday, described her as an angel specially sent to him by God.

The Anglican priest, who was literarily in tears as the remains of his late wife was lowered into the tomb, stated in his tribute that the late wife was “a pillar in moments of difficulties”, adding that it would be difficult to cope without her.

“There are simply no words to capture what you meant to me or convey the full weight of my grief over your passing. You were simply an angel sent by God in human form to me. 

“When I met you about 20 years ago, I knew at once that I had struck gold, and I know many men have wonderful wife, but no one has ever had a better one than I.

“You were humble to a fault, faithful, efficient and true and, in your unassuming way, made everything around you beautiful. When things were difficult, you were a pillar, you could manage any little amount I could provide and will be very happy,” he said.

The Primate of the Anglican Church in Nigeria, The Most Rev’d Dr Henry Ndukuba, while delivering the funeral sermon, described the late Mrs Rosemary Austin-Ohilebo as a woman who trusted and walked with God.

He explained that Mrs. Rosemary Austin Ohilebo lived a sacrificial life as she would go the extra mile to sacrifice and use whatever was at her disposal to help others.

The Anglican primate said that the late bishop’s wife was humble and unassuming as she never carried herself high despite being the wife of a bishop, adding that he had no doubt that she was with the Lord.

The religious leader encouraged the bereaved bishop to draw strength from the word of God, see the demise of his wife as God’s will and not allow the death to threaten his faith in Christ.

This was just as he admonished the congregants to prepare for death and be determined to finish strong on earth, noting that God sometimes allows some things so that Christians will put their hope in Him.

The speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, described the death of the bishop’s wife as great loss, and enjoined the bereaved bishop to draw strength from the scripture, assuring that God would not leave him and his family comfortless.

The Most Rev’d Friday Imaekhai, retired Archbishop of Bendel Province and Bishop of Esan Diocese, where Bishop Ohilebo served before his election as Bishop of Sabongidda-Ora, described the late bishop’s wife as very energetic woman, who was very committed to the work of mission and evangelism. 

He said the late Rosemary Austin-Ohilebo and her husband performed wherever they were posted, hence he was not surprised when Bishop Ohilebo rose to the position of a bishop. He prayed to the Holy Spirit to comfort the bishop in this time of grief.

Late Mrs. Rosemary Austin-Ohilebo died on the 29th of October, 2024 at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital, leaving behind her husband and four children.

Caption:

The Bishop of Sabongidda-Ora Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev’d Augustine Ohilebo and his children at St. John Cathedral Cemetery, Sabongidda-Ora, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Friday during the interment of his late wife, Mrs. Rosemary Austin-Ohilebo

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